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Mexican Restaurant Named as Source of KY Salmonella Outbreak

Casa Mexicana, a Mexican restaurant in Madisonville, KY, was named Wednesday by the Hopkins County Health Department as the source of a deadly western Kentucky salmonella outbreak.

The outbreak is blamed for one death and at least five hospitalizations, with eight cases definitively linked to Casa Mexicana, according to Denise Beach, director of the health department. She says at least four other cases may be associated with the restaurant’s food.

Three other salmonella cases in Webster County and one in Muhlenberg County, both adjacent to Hopkins County in western Kentucky, are among those that have yet to be linked to the Casa Mexicana outbreak.

The restaurant was briefly closed after health inspectors found numerous violations and began taking food samples for testing. Beach said the restaurant does not present a continuing health risk to the community and was placed on an increased inspection schedule.

The three counties are located south and west of Louisville. Salmonella is a foodborne illness known for causing diarrhea, fever and vomiting.